What do you bring to a board?
If you are seeking a board role, you need to have a strong answer at-the-ready to this question.
Most people I meet answer this question by first pausing… then describing their executive career history.
They list out their achievements in the hope that the person listening will make the connection between their executive career and the board role that they want.
This is a clear sign that the person is not prepared yet to be on a board. And this alone will ruin your chances of landing a board seat.
I’ve been working with board members for over 24 years and I now coach professionals through the process.
Download my cheat sheet below so you can perfect the answer to one of the most common questions asked:
What do you bring to a board?
Download the cheat sheet here
Get the framework for answering the question: What do you bring to a board?
Download: The Framework
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
It is designed for senior executives, experienced operators, and high-potential professionals who want to serve on boards. This includes seasoned C-suite leaders and functional executives as well as ambitious individuals earlier in their careers. It is also relevant for those exploring advisory boards or non-profit boards as an important steppingstone to corporate boards.
The company offers Boardroom Bridge programs, which are structured pathways to being confident and ready to pursue board roles. It also produces The Boardroom Company Live podcast and provides educational content through its book Wanted – A Board Career. Additional services may include coaching, advisory, and mentorship 1-2-1.
The company does not place candidates on boards or act as a recruiter. Board roles are secured through relationships, reputation, and positioning. Any service claiming guaranteed placement is misleading. Clients have achieved board roles through introductions that The Boardroom Company makes, however, this is up to the client.
There is no fixed timeline. Securing a board role often takes months or years depending on experience and network. The company focuses on building a strong foundation for long-term success. Timing is influenced by market conditions and relationships.
Testimonials
What Our Members Say
Aug 30, 2025
So glad our paths crossed early on as I was transitioning to the “board portfolio service” stage of my career. Your advice and counsel has and continues to serve me well and I would be happy to speak with anyone that is considering engaging with you.
Aug 29, 2025
It’s all about connections. Naomi Kent once told me – Remember, every time you get in front of somebody about a board role, it is an interview.
Aug 28, 2025
Naomi was incredibly knowledgeable and helped prepare me to be a successful board member. I learned a lot from her governance and board- readiness courses. She quickly understood my skillset and introduced me to a firm that brought me on as a board member. I am forever grateful.
Aug 27, 2025
Naomi’s knowledge and experience regarding board roles has been very helpful. She is well experienced in helping executives establish and plan their board career and has provided me with guidance and networking opportunities to find board opportunities, and even made introductions to people of interest to me. Grateful and appreciative of Naomi’s mentorship.
Aug 26, 2025
I worked with Naomi to refine my board message, identify appropriate boards to target, and create a strategic approach to secure board roles. Her guidance was very beneficial in securing a board position at a private equity-owned company with one of my connections within just four months. I value Naomi’s expertise and advice and look forward to ongoing collaboration with her to achieve my board membership objectives.
Aug 25, 2025
Although I’ve served on a number of boards in the past, I shared my experience taking the course you facilitated. It helped me become more confident in my approach to board leadership. You do great work.
